What material is the engine block made of?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by CDA441, Mar 15, 2019.

?

Engine block material?

  1. cast aluminium/aluminum

    100.0%
  2. cast iron

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. magnesium

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. CDA441

    CDA441 New Member

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    I want to clean the gunk off of my engine block after 15 years of neglect.
    I can't even see the original color under the black and brown coating.

    What I've been thinking of is again (like my stainless exhaust) to do some Harpic Max Power cleaning, but I'm afraid it would damage the block/corrode it even more.
    I'm also planning on repainting the front that has been caked with that dirt in VHT engine enamel (silver) to get a little bit of protection back.

    So if anyone has an idea of what material the block is made off, I would love to hear it! (or if you guys have tips for cleaning).
     
  2. bk94si

    bk94si Member

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    None of the above. Aluminum alloy.
     
  3. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Soda blast it - just ask Norcal
     
  4. CDA441

    CDA441 New Member

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    So we have 2 votes for cast aluminum/aluminium and one comment for aluminium alloy.
    Seems that the majority is thinking that the block is made of aluminium.
    @Diving Pete I want to do this the cheap option, the block is not made to show but to run :)
    I'm also pressed for time and money which means it needs to be done cheap and fast.

    Since the block is made of aluminium, Hydrochloric acid based "Harpic Power Max 10" isn't suitable for use on the block.
    I should probably look into some less agressive ways to clean the junk off :')
     
  5. Thumbs

    Thumbs Member

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    It’s die cast aluminium alloy

    Caustic cleaners will dissolve the metal

    Brake cleaner will dissolve the oil base and should get the crud off
     
  6. CDA441

    CDA441 New Member

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    Ayy, cleaned it with some WD-40, seems like the best engine "degreaser" there is. Seems like the silver paint has been corroding and peeling off all those years, now it's just bare aluminium.
    I have also removed the rust of the front headers, they look a little bad, but no rusting :) Baked some WD40 on 'em too, to keep them from rusting.

    I also found out that the horn was peeling, I thought it was the paint that's coming loose, but nope! It was a protective film! (could it be from the factory?)
     
  7. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    An aluminum, nickel, ceramic matrix material. Common knowledge, I thought.
     
  8. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Figured it was best to just let it go. Deleted. :Peace:
     
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